And City, as expected, are already just 90 minutes from lifting their first trophy of the campaign after recording the biggest aggregate win in the League Cup semi-finals.

Pellegrini made sweeping changes to the side which smashed through the 100-goal barrier in only their 34th match of the season on Saturday.

Media playback is not supported on this device

Pellegrini proud to get to Wembley final

But, to the chagrin of West Ham, the Chilean reunited Negredo and Aguero in a fearsome-looking attack, while injury-hit £22m summer signing Stevan Jovetic made his first substitute appearance since October.

Going into the game, the pair had scored 21 goals apiece - with the whole West Ham team netting only 31 - but had not started together since Argentina striker Aguero injured his calf against Arsenal on 14 December.

Negredo needed just 154 seconds to open the scoring when he planted in Portuguese teenager Marcos Lopez's pinpoint cross with the freedom of the Hammers penalty area.